Microsoft faces class action on security

[central scrutinizer]

http://news.com.com/2100-1009-5085730.html

Possibly the BBV people can jump on this one.

excerpt:

Microsoft faces a proposed class-action lawsuit in California based on the claim that market dominance and
vulnerability to viruses in its software could lead to "massive, cascading failures" in global computer networks.

The lawsuit also claims that Microsoft's security
warnings are too complex to be understood by the general public and serve instead to tip off
"fast-moving" hackers on how to exploit flaws in its operating system.

[Voltaire99]

1. Brilliant and long overdue

Great! To anyone following computer security issues over the last decade, this is a real no-brainer.

It's not as if there isn't plenty to go on. The case will be helped by public admissions of poor security by senior M$ VPs, as well as by the company's notorious history of foot-dragging when warned about flaws. There's even its despicable lobbying attempts to get those who publicize its lax security punished under new laws.

Whatever the fate of this case, there's a deeper problem on the horizon - the successful attempts by M$ to worm its way into HomeSec... Beyond the fat contracts, you can observe the way HomeSec is now becoming a kind of tax-payer funded tech support department, churning out worm and virus warnings for M$ as fast as it can along with its hysterical Code Yellow/Red/Whatever "terrorism" alerts.

If this trend continues, M$ will legitimize its record of negligence and failure by morphing into an institutional adjunct of US national security. Not a good thing!

Also - this seems like a good place to bring it up - bear in mind that if you're running Windows 98, Microsoft won't be supporting it after this December. That means no more security patches. Time to jump ship before the flood: go Apple or Linux.

[moof]

2. well this calls for a bit of profanity, so sorry in advance

In the best george peppard ala his courtroom scene as Dr. Shepard,


IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME !!!!!!!

And how about nailing the idiot for his responsibility in the Y2K bussiness ?